Translation guide
Expresses the idea of a negative outcome occurring due to bad luck or misfortune. Japanese uses conditional forms with words for 'unlucky' or 'bad luck', often in set phrases.
To state that something bad may happen if luck is not on one's side.
A natural, common way to say 'if one is unlucky'. Literally 'if luck is bad'. Used for general statements.
運が悪いと、雨に降られるかもしれない。
If one is unlucky, one might get caught in the rain.
The conditional form of 'unlucky'. Slightly more formal or written than 運が悪いと.
To express a worst-case scenario or a negative possibility.
Common phrase meaning 'if things go badly' or 'at worst'. Used to introduce a potential negative outcome.
悪くすると、プロジェクトは中止になるかもしれない。
If things go badly, the project might be canceled.
運が悪いと focuses on personal luck, while 悪くすると is more about circumstances turning bad. Both can translate 'if one is unlucky', but 悪くすると is often used for objective situations.
運が悪いと、宝くじは当たらない。
If you're unlucky, you won't win the lottery.
悪くすると、会社が倒産するかもしれない。
If things go badly, the company might go bankrupt.
If one is unlucky, one may fail the exam.
An adverb meaning 'unfortunately' or 'by bad luck'. Used to describe an unlucky event that happened, not a general condition.
不運にも、彼は事故に遭った。
Unfortunately, he had an accident.
Literally 'if luck is not attached'. A colloquial way to say 'if one is out of luck'.
運がついていないと、何をやってもうまくいかない。
If you're out of luck, nothing goes well.
Same as the first option but can also be used in set phrases. Very common.
運が悪いと、一時間以上待たされることもある。
If you're unlucky, you might have to wait over an hour.